Experiments with Alternative Energy: Part 3
by John Gavlik
Learn the fundamentals of renewable energy through this educational series. This month: Build a Solar Powered Battery Charger Page 46

USB MP Controller
Computer Related
by Rob Caruso
This 'Recycled Electronics' build uses a knob from a VCR to create a controller for the Windows Media Player. Page 34

The Green Standby
Home Automation
by Carlos Cossio
This awesome unit lets your appliances stay connected to the grid while cutting the costs of your electric bills at the same time. Page 40

Techknowledgey
by Jeff Eckert
TechKnowledgery 2009 | October 2009
Topics covered include iPOD recording device, repulsive light force discovered, protecting personal data, China to dump Lenova holdings, plus other stuff. Page 12

Smiley’s Workshop
by Joe Pardue
Smileys Workshop: An AVR C Programming Series (Part 15)
Infrared object detection meets tomato soup cans. Page 18

Personal Robotics
by Vern Graner
The Halloween Prop Dropper
The Prop Dropper is designed to detect the presence of a person, rapid-deploy a small prop, display it for a moment, then wind it back up out of view, ready for its next victim Page 52

PICAXE Primer
by Ron Hackett
Using The AXE027 USB Programming Cable
This month's Primer we're going to take a first look at how to cope with the process of migrating from the serial to USB programming connections. Page 67